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It is the Fashion Now(1954)

Edna St. Vincent Millay

It is the fash ion now to wave aside
MeterIt is the fashion now to wave aside
As tedious, obvious, vacuous, trivial, trite,
MeterAs tedious, obvious, vacuous, trivial, trite,
All things which do not tickle, tease, excite
MeterAll things which do not tickle, tease, excite
To some subversion, or in verbiage hide
MeterTo some subversion, or in verbiage hide
Intent, or mock, or with hot sauce provide
MeterIntent, or mock, or with hot sauce provide
A dish to prick the thickened appetite;
MeterA dish to prick the thickened appetite;
Straightforwardness is wrong, evasion right;
MeterStraightforwardness is wrong, evasion right;
It is correct, de rigueur, to deride.
MeterIt is correct, de rigueur, to deride.
What funny wits these modern wags expose,
MeterWhat funny wits these modern wags expose,
For all their versatility: Voltaire,
MeterFor all their versatility: Voltaire,
Who wore to bed a night-cap, and would close,
MeterWho wore to bed a night-cap, and would close,
In fear of drafts, all windows, could declare
MeterIn fear of drafts, all windows, could declare
In antique stuffiness, a phrase that blows
MeterIn antique stuffiness, a phrase that blows
Still through men’s smoky minds, and clears the air.
MeterStill through men’s smoky minds, and clears the air.

Rhyme
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